Paula Reto had a superb start to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Thursday when she carded an opening two-under-par 70 to be in a share of fourth place at the Congressional Blue Course in Bethesda, Maryland.
Reto made four birdies and two bogeys to share fourth with Jennifer Chang of the United States. The first-round leader was In Gee Chun of South Korea, whose eight-under 64 gave her a five-stroke lead over countrywoman Hye-Jin Choi and Thailand’s Pornanong Phatium.
Reto got things going early in her round with a birdie on the first. But she dropped a shot on the par-four fourth, and regained that stroke immediately with a birdie on the fifth. A drop on the ninth saw her turn in level-par, but she was bogey-free coming home, with birdies on the 11th and 17th.
Ashleigh Buhai also had a good start to the major championship, carding a level-par 72 to be in a share of 15th. Buhai had a double-bogey seven on her last hole of the day which saw her slip out of the early top 10. She also made four birdies and two bogeys in her round.
No player has ever been further ahead than Chun after 18 holes at a women’s major. While most of the field slogged through the day on the wet Blue Course, Chun birdied seven of eight holes during one stretch.
“I don’t know what golf course In Gee is playing,” defending champion Nelly Korda said after finishing her round of 71.
